War crimes prosecutors will present their case before judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, seeking to put former militia commander Maxime Mokom on trial for alleged war crimes in the Central African Republic (CAR). The three-day hearing, starting on Tuesday, will focus on whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute Mokom for his alleged role in organizing revenge attacks against Muslims in 2013 and 2014.
Mokom, 44, is facing 20 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged involvement in directing murder, rape, pillaging, destruction of property, and attacks on religious buildings, including mosques. He denies any involvement in these crimes and stated in his opening statement that he dedicated his efforts to seeking peace rather than engaging in war.
CAR, a former French colony, experienced a violent sectarian conflict after Seleka rebels, a coalition of armed groups primarily composed of Muslims, ousted the President in early 2013. Mokom’s self-proclaimed self-defense militia, known as the “anti-Balaka” or “anti-machete,” was formed in response to the Seleka’s takeover of the capital, Bangui, and consisted mainly of Christians and animists.
Prosecutors allege that Mokom provided direct support to anti-Balaka military operations, including funding, weapons, medication, and ammunition. Marie-Edith Douzima-Lawson, a lawyer representing victims in the case, described Mokom as one of those who used terror within the civilian population and employed them as human shields to achieve their aims.
The attacks carried out by the anti-Balaka militia resulted in over 100,000 Muslim civilians fleeing Bangui and seeking refuge in neighboring Cameroon and Chad. Anti-Balaka attacks on Muslim civilians continued even after the retreat of Seleka forces from Bangui, lasting until at least December 2014.
Various armed groups, rebels, and assailants continue to engage in sporadic attacks against the Central African army, which is supported by mercenaries from the Russian private security company Wagner. International NGOs and UN-mandated experts have accused all sides of committing crimes and abuses against civilians.
Maxime Mokom’s arrest warrant was issued by Chadian authorities in 2018. Two former anti-Balaka leaders, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona and Alfred Yekatom, are already facing charges related to attacks on Muslim civilians. Prosecutors claim that Ngaissona, a former African football executive, held a senior leadership position within the anti-Balaka militias during 2013 and 2014. Yekatom, also known as Rambo, has pleaded not guilty to similar charges.
